CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Come to the "Longtou Gymnasium" for an exciting game of Bucky Ball (a multiplayer sports competitive game) with the style of Chongqing and cyberpunk; follow the enticing aromas to taste the famous Erlang braised goose and Yunfengzheng yellow rice wine; walk toward beauty, and skincare products made from peony and wintersweet, are ready for you to have a try...

On September 20, the 13th Chongqing International Cultural Industry Expo 2024 (hereinafter referred to as Chongqing Cultural Expo) kicked off at the Chongqing International Expo Center. At that time, these "Culture+" products, blending tradition with technology and heritage with vitality, will be presented to the public.

Immersive experience of multi-culture

Connecting global multi-cultures while also showcasing the flourishing local cultural undertakings and industries has always been a hallmark of the Chongqing Cultural Expo.

This year, the districts and counties within the scope of construction of the Yangtze River National Cultural Park (Chongqing section) — such as Yuzhong, Jiulongpo, Banan, Beibei, Dadukou, Fengdu, Jiangbei, Liangping, Nan'an, Shapingba, Wanzhou, Yubei, Dianjiang, and Dazu — will show their unique cultural characteristics and creative cultural products, offering the audience a chance to experience the collision of classic tradition and fashion trends.

Yuzhong District, focusing on "Opera in Yuzhong", will be divided into three sections: "Tour with Operas in the Mother City", "Fun Journey in the Operas" and "Meet beauty through Operas". By combining Yuzhong’s feature scenic spots, such as its cliffs, trails, caves, and two rivers, it will create a new setting that integrates nature and the city, offering the opportunity for the public to experience the scene where the future is integrated with culture, showcasing the achievements made by Yuzhong in digital culture and its new cultural and tourism consumption scenes.

Human-AI chess matches and intangible cultural heritage interactions

Do you want to watch a live Go match between a human and AI? Come to exhibition hall in Jiulongpo District at this year's Chongqing Cultural Expo.

The exhibition hall in Jiulongpo, set up themed around the “Yangtze River Cultural Art Bay Area”, will feature highlights such as Chongqing's iconic cuisine brand “360 Bowls of Chongqing Flavors”, key digital cultural projects, and standout cultural and creative products of intangible cultural heritage.

According to a person in charge of the Jiulongpo Culture and Tourism Development Commission, visitors will enjoy a variety of experiences at the hall, including intangible cultural heritage archery performances, human-AI Go matches, and giant chess games, and they can also engage with intangible cultural heritage items like paper-cutting, Shu embroidery, stone rubbing, and incense-making from agarwood.

The hall will also showcase the Banquet of the Ba Kingdom—a fusion of "culture + food"—where visitors can watch performances while tasting delicacies “360 Bowls of Chongqing Flavors” like Erlang braised goose, as well as specialty drinks of intangible cultural heritage such as Yunfengzheng yellow rice wine, and Linjiang Laodukou syrup of sour plum, and experience the collision between traditional Chinese food and cultural elements such as music, dance and opera.

A focus on healthy life

With so many beautiful and fun things to explore, useful and tasty products are also a must.

At this year's Chongqing Cultural Expo, the Dianjiang exhibition hall will display a variety of peony series products launched by Kaizhi Mountain Tourist Area, including handicrafts and skincare products, as well as the traditional Chinese medicine series products from Xiancaoyuan traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Tourist Area. In addition, Dianjiang plaited bamboo products, known for its delicate patterns and vibrant, life-inspired designs are also favored by visitors.

Dazu Rock Carvings, as one of the filming locations for the hit 3A game Black Myth: Wukong, go popular again recently. At this Chongqing Cultural Expo, the Dazu exhibition hall, themed on "Exquisite carvings that speak", displays cultural and creative products like the colored sculpture Dazu Lion (winner of the Gold Award at the “China Arts and Crafts Cultural Creative Competition”), the Deep Sea Blade Knife Set (winner of the Gold Award at the China Tourism Commodities Competition), as well as other cultural and tourism products such as Heavenly Crown Blessing Jewelry, Dazu stone carvings, and jade sculptures.

Meanwhile, the Beibei exhibition hall will highlight the theme “sense of relaxation”, with Pianyan Ancient Town, situated by the Heishuitan River, taking center stage, and riverside markets, riverside tea houses, and materials related to Lu Zuofu, including books and documentaries will also be displayed.

In addition, Beibei’s Jin Tea, Jinmei series products, and Jinyun Sweet Tea will also appear at this expo. Among them, Jin Tea is the first brand of tea drinks in Beibei, focusing on localization, youth and health, and has launched over 20 products in six categories. Jinmei series products, including face masks, essential oils, perfumes, and aromatherapy, will also be displayed, aiming to carry on and promote the Jingguansuxin chimonanthus fragrans industry and build a high-quality brand.

From September 20 to September 22, citizens and tourists are warmly invited to the Chongqing Cultural Expo to enjoy a cultural feast where tradition meets fashion, with delightful sights, sounds and tastes. (Translated by Jane, Fathom Language Limited)